Pressure at the back of head 3 weeks now and right hand muscle twitching/ spasm.

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Hi all, I'm not good at putting a story together so I'll just spew what I've been experiencing. 

I've had this head pressure at the back of my head running into my neck since the 15/02/16 and the feeling has been a dull, weird, slight discomfort type of sensation and at times it would be constant. 

For the entire duration my fingers and hands have been in a way jittery/ twitchy? Not really though just a miniscal amount but if I were to put into perspective; for me, when I type, it's natural, I can touch type with ease and type fast as well but since I've had this problem I've had to focus more on "brain power" as you will into typing with ease and I would miss hit the wrong key or something along these lines. Moving my mouse as well has been the same. If I were to put it down into two words, they would be weird and different. I have to say though as the week goes past, it has become a little easier and in a sense back to normal and natural only slightly though.

Another symptom I've been experiencing is dizziness, there would be times where I would feel lightheaded in a way and just dizzy. I would also stumble back a step and lose balance basically. 

When I talk, people say it sounds normal but I know in myself that when I talk it's different and something isn't normal, it's almost like I can feel a slight stutter when I talk, this has improved over time though but I can notice it every now and then. 

Last week, I was restless in bed, I couldn't really sleep but this may have been down to my sleeping pattern being terrible. This week however sleeping has been okay. 

Now I find that when I take Naproxen and/or paracetamol, majority of these symptoms go away, I'm typing right now as we speak with relative ease.

I've been to see my GP three times now within the duration of this occuring, I've seen two doctors and both have said across the three appointments that it is a tension headache and muscle tension in the neck. They both don't believe it's anything sinister and said that it isn't a tumour nor is it anything neurodegenerative. In fact one of the doctors have said and I quote "I will be happy to bet a wad of cash and say it's not Motor Neurone Disease nor is it anything neurodegenerative". 

Now the other doctor who I saw twice, actually I saw them on Thursday and they said it's not a tumour and they also had a feel of my ear lymph nodes on my face and on my left side, they said that there is a lymph node there that is bumpy, they then proceeded to examine my ear and had a look inside the left ear and said that my left ear drum was red. She checked the right side and I think they said that was fine but I didn't quite hear because they was talking.

I also have asked my friend who is a junior doctor and have told him everything I've told you and he said a tension headache doesn't sound too far fetched and that "with these headaches, the best way to fix them is to relax", he advised that I get a massage and just relax really. 

With all this being said, I'm not really stressed to be honest, I'm a pretty chill guy and take things easy. Nothing at the moment is causing me much stress except for this problem I have, I don't even know what it is, so I'll just say problem/ illness. 

Blood pressure, temperature have all been normal throughout all three appointments.

I was recommended in my first appointment to go see an optician of which I saw today and they said, they didn't find anything wrong except my glasses prescription had changed a little but to be honest I barely wear my glasses anyway. I have astigmatism in my eyes and it doesn't really affect me too much hence I only wear them on occasion.

Now with all this cleared up, the symptoms are still there. It's sort of on and off really now, I have days where I feel normal and great and I have days like today where it's back again. What I don't understand is, how does a headache/ pressure last almost three weeks? Now I've been told that "three weeks in the world of medicine isn't too long" by said friend doctor. I'm honestly confused as to what is wrong with me and would like to find out and just be rid of it really. 

Update 07/03/16 - Saw the doctor today (a new one) and he said it's a occipital headache and did a little neurology test. He tested my power, tone and motion and all were fine. Also I would like to mention as of yesterday, my right hand has started to twitch on and off especially when I relax the hand. The left one seems fine. 

Another update I want to provide is that I found a bony lump at the top left side at the back of my head. Doctor had a look and said it's nothing to do with the inside but he thinks it's something to do with the cranial scalp, something like a cyst I think he mentioned? 

He had a look and checked over my cervical spinal area and neck and he has referred me for a cervical neck x-ray and basic blood tests as well such as full blood count, vitamin b counts etc. 

I'm terrified to death, what gets me the most is the twitching/ spasm in the hand and just the weird feeling. Honestly, if they say it's nothing, I trust them but I'm still feeling this way after three weeks... 

They are reluctant to send me for a brain scan etc because they don't feel I need one. 

If anyone has any help, any answers I just want to know. Any is appreciated.

Thank you.

1 like, 17 replies

17 Replies

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  • Posted

    I think that you are going about it correctly. Maybe they will continue testing after the scan because it will show something. I have had symptoms of illness most of my life on and off. It took years for the root of the problem to show up and be diagnosed. It may take a while. You may have bad periods like now followed by good ones until one day it is bad enough for them to figure it out. Hang tough they will find out what is wrong it just might take a while.
  • Posted

    As your doc is sending you for a neck x ray I wonder if he suspects a pinched nerve?   Thats the sort of thing that will give you these symptoms,then you tense up and it makes it worse and so on in a vicious circle.    The pain killers will help you to relax and maybe a different pillow will help. 
  • Posted

    Based on what you have said I can say with certainty that occipital headaches feel just like tension headaches. Definitly wait and see what the cervical neck x ray says before you get too worried. My guess is you either have a pinched nerve/bulging disc pushing on a nerve or you have lost some curvature in your neck that is putting pressure on your brain stem.

    Both are treatable and both explain the sensations you feel down to your fingers as well as the dizziness and migraines. I'm betting it's physical and treatable.

    I understand your fear because it has been 3 weeks but consider yourself lucky that someone is going down this path for you after 3 weeks. It took over 10 months to diagnose me but I do honestly remember how scared I was when these started out of no where.

    Keep us posted! When are you getting the x ray and the results?

  • Posted

    Well I do have an herniated disc in my L4 that's pushing on my nerve canal there but I've had that for 6 months now and hasn't done this to me before.

    Manda, what did you get diagnosed with?

    • Posted

      For me the main problem was my neck. Despite all this other testing and specialists I had seen the x ray showed I had lost 40 degrees of curve in my neck and it was also 5 degrees to the left. I had been asking everyone why I could go 31 1/2 years with no such symptoms and then they come out of nowhere and in less than a month were a daily occurrence. None of the doctors could tell me and said I may never know but once the x ray showed the problem it was explained that I probably had this problem for years gradually getting worse and worse until it reached the point where the pressure on my brain stem and cerebellum (from the straightened cervical) was so great that my body couldn't handle it anymore without producing these symptoms. Due to the area of the pressure it was resulting in issues with balance, vision, motor skills and of course causing migraines.
  • Posted

    I'm going for my X-ray on Thursday, not sure about results however.
    • Posted

      Depending on if the x ray set up is done through the doctor diagnosing you or at another location and forwarded on I would say you should know something anywhere from Thursday to Tuesday. Please let us know what it shows.
  • Posted

    Imwould suggest a low salt diet.mdash diet.mthat would be first thing to do. Stay on it. Be sure to drink,lots of water. Slow down on the oain killers as well. They arent meant to be used all the time and have rebound effects which ironically cause headaches.  I passed through this every here and there and found the diet itself helos it tremendously.
    • Posted

      This is a good point/reminder. Pain killers are meant to be used in short spurts. Taking for a prolonged amount of time can cause headaches or dizziness (even if sometimes they are supposed to help with such). In addition they can wreak havoc on your stomach lining and kidneys depending on their strength.
  • Posted

    Have you received any results yet? I have a lot of these same symptoms and am interested in any findings you have had
    • Posted

      Results have come back, blood tests are fine, x Ray shows a slight curve in my upper back and neck but this is due to my bad posture. Diagnosis still remains muscle tension although I am now being sent to see a neurologist.

      Also update on symptoms, my hand hasn't twitched this week, so far so good. Head pressure isn't as strong and only comes and goes during the week, usually on Sunday and Monday. I've also noticed my neck would be achey and would feel heavy during Sunday and Monday.

      Typing has returned to normal.

      It like I am 85% there but something still feels weird and not right.

    • Posted

      Why hasn't the doctor further investigated the curvature and back issue? This can cause your symptoms and they should at least determine how many degrees you are out of whack.
    • Posted

      Good news! I received results of my brain MRI today, and all is normal. Yay!! I can breathe again! I also am seeing a neurologist at the end of this month. Keep us up to date! Your news is encouraging. 
  • Posted

    Hey. This is literally exactly what I have. Even the lump on the back left side of my neck! I've had a brain MRI and it was clear. Getting blood tests tomorrow. However I don't expect the bloods to reveal anything. I might push for a neck X-ray maybe. Any updates on your side?

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